PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
REGULAR/BRIEFING SESSION
TUESDAY, MAY 24, 1988
The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met as the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, May 24, 1988, at 5:00 p.m. in Suite 300, City Hall, 324 South State.
The following Council Members were present: Florence Bittner Tom Godfrey Wayne Horrocks Roselyn Kirk Sydney Fonnesbeck Willie Stoler Alan Hardman.
Council Chairperson Godfrey presided at the meeting.
BRIEFING SESSION
Linda Hamilton, Executive Director, briefed the Council on the agenda and said that due to the Mayor’s veto of the Community Development Block Grant funding for the Police Athletic League Land Acquisition she had placed three items on the Council’s agenda under ‘Unfinished Council Business’ which were: 1) an override of the Mayor’s veto which required five votes; 2) the transfer of $72,000 allocated to the Land Acquisition to the contingency fund, but by placing it in contingency the Mayor could possibly restore up to 15% funding to those programs which the Council reduced and there were some programs which could not have full funding restored or would be eliminated from the program if the Council did not make a motion to fund them; and 3) a possible compromise in which the Council would leave $6,000 allocated to Land Acquisition to purchase an option on the land and move the remaining $66,000 to contingency.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck asked if the Parks Department had a plan in place for utilizing the land that would be acquired with the funding. Councilmember Horrocks said that there was a plan developed 12 years ago when PAL was first established and he assumed that the plan still existed. Councilmember Fonnesbeck asked if there had been any indication from the Parks Department as to how much the expansion would cost the city on an ongoing basis. Councilmember Horrocks said he had the same question regarding the Sunnyside Recreation Center and in both cases it was impossible to answer. Mayor DePaulis said that the request for the Land Acquisition at the PAL was generated by the Parks Department and his hope was that in delaying the funding of the acquisition, the city would be able to get the surrounding neighborhood involved in the program in order to give it community direction.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in regular session on Tuesday, May 24, 1988, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 324 South State Street.
The following Council Members were present: Florence Bittner Tom Godfrey Wayne Horrocks Roselyn Kirk Sydney Fonnesbeck Willie Stoler Alan Hardman.
Mayor Palmer DePaulis, Roger Cutler, city attorney, S. R. Kivett, deputy city recorder, and LaNita Brown, deputy city recorder, were present.
Council Chairperson Godfrey presided at and Councilmember Bittner conducted the meeting.
The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes.
Councilmember Kirk moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to approve the minutes of the Salt Lake City Council for the regular meeting held Tuesday, May 17, 1988, which motion carried, all members voted aye, exept Councilmember Horrocks who was absent for the vote.
(M 88-1)
Special Recognition
The City Council and Mayor presented a joint resolution proclaiming the week of May 24 through 27, 1988 as ‘World Trade Week’ in Salt Lake City, Utah. Councilmember Godfrey read the resolution which stated that since America was the world’s largest economy, largest market and a major trading partner with other nations, international trade would be more vital to the nation in a global economy.
Numerous inland port cities were proving successful as catalysts to promote an increase in international trade, and Salt Lake City had the facilities and services to expand its role as an inland port, thus providing great benefits to the economy of the State of Utah. All persons, businesses, and organizations were urged to promote a greater awareness and practice of international trade which would result in increased employment opportunities, economic expansion, and stability for citizens.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to adopt Resolution 58 of 1988 designating May 24 through 27, 1988 as ‘World Trade Week’, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(R 88-1)
DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
#1. RE: Consider adopting an ordinance amending Sections 8.04.070(D), 8.04.070(G), 8.04.080(B), and 8.04.150(A) of the Salt Lake City Code, increasing fees for licensing animals in Salt Lake City.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to Committee of the Whole.
(O 88-14)
AIRPORT
#1. RE: Consider adopting a resolution authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement between the city and the United States of America, National Guard, for the lease of certain airport property.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardman moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to adopt Resolution 55 of 1988 authorizing execution of an interlocal agreement between the city and the United States of America for lease of airport property for the National Guard, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(C 88-240)
COUNCIL
#1. RE: Consider adopting an ordinance amending Chapter 15.04 of the Salt Lake City Code by adding a new Section 15.04.320 relating to Mignon B. Richmond Park.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardman moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to adopt Ordinance 29 of 1988 amending Chapter 15.04 of the Salt Lake City Code by adding a new Section 15.04.320 relating to Mignon B. Richmond Park, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(G 86-1)
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
#1. RE: Consider adopting a resolution authorizing the execution of an interlocal agreement between the city, Salt Lake County, and West Valley City for disbursing funding for the acquisition of facilities for the work activity center.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardman moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to adopt Resolution 56 of 1988 authorizing execution of an interlocal agreement between the city, Salt Lake County, and West Valley City for disbursing funding for the acquisition of facilities for the work activity center, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(C 88-241)
#2. RE: Consider adopting an ordinance amending Section 21.78.060 of the Salt Lake City Code relating to parking lots as nonconforming uses in residential districts.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardman moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to adopt Ordinance 28 of 1988 amending Section 21.78.060 of the Salt Lake City Code relating to parking lots as nonconforming uses in residential districts, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: One person submitted a registration card opposing parking lots as nonconforming uses in residential districts.
(O 88-5)
#3. RE: Consider adopting a motion to override the Mayor’s veto of 14th Year Community Development Block Grant fund allocation of $72,000 to land acquisition for the Police Athletic League; consider adopting a motion to amend Exhibit A of Resolution 52 of 1988 appropriating 14th Year Community Development Block Grant funds by eliminating funding for land acquisition for the Police Athletic League and increasing the contingency fund by $72,000 to $202,200; consider adopting a motion to amend Exhibit A of Resolution 52 of 1988 appropriating 14th Year Community Development Block Grant funds by reducing the allocation for land acquisition for the Police Athletic League by $66,000 to $6,000 and increasing the contingency fund by $66,000 to $196,200.
ACTION: Councilmember Horrocks moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reconsider the motion made on May 17, 1988 to eliminate funding in the amount of $20,000 for cleaning and securing vacant properties, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Horrocks moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to appropriate $20,000 for cleaning and securing vacant properties, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Horrocks moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to place the remaining $52,000 of the $72,000 in the contingency fund, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to refer actions of funding $20,000 for cleaning and securing vacant properties, and placing $52,000 into contingency fund to May 26, 1988 for ratification, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Fonnesbeck addressed the Mayor saying that it was the Council’s intent to pursue the purchase of the property for the Police Athletic League. Mayor DePaulis said that was the direction they would proceed in, but they did not want to discuss it publicly because of the land purchase implications.
Mr. Cutler said he was concerned about the actions the Council had taken as there wasn’t adequate notice of putting the $20,000 back into the fund and he was concerned about the open meeting requirement of placing matters on the agenda and giving notice. He said he believed it was only a technicality but the Council would probably want to put it on the Thursday agenda to ratify the action.
(T 88-1)
FINANCE
#1. RE: Consider adopting a resolution providing for the issuance of $17,000,000 Salt Lake City Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes, Series 1988; approving the form of the Official Notice of Sale, the Abbreviated Notice of Sale, the Official Statement, and the Notice of Notes to be Issued, and related matters.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to suspend the rules and adopt on a first reading, Resolution 54 of 1988 providing for the issuance of $17,000,000 Salt Lake City Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes, Series 1988, and related matters, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(R 88-4)
#2. RE: Consider adopting a resolution accepting for public display, the Fiscal Year 1988-89 budget for the Salt Lake City Public Library, and setting a date for a public hearing on the budget for June 9, 1988, at 6:00 p.m.
ACTION: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to adopt Resolution 57 of 1988 accepting the 1988-89 budget for the Salt Lake City Library and setting a date for a public hearing on the budget for June 9, 1988, at 6:00 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(B 88-4)
#3. RE: Set a date for a public hearing to be held Tuesday, June 14, 1988, at 6:30 p.m., to obtain public comment concerning the amendment of Fiscal Year 1987/88 operating budgets.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardman moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to set a hearing date for Tuesday, June 14, 1988, at 6:30 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(B 87-5)
MAYOR’S OFFICE
#1. RE: Consider adopting a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Municipal Building Authority of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, executing the Third Amendment to Sale Agreement between the Authority and Pacific Northwest Realty Corporation, permitting representatives of the city to gain access to the Public Safety Building for the purpose of performing certain work.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner pulled this item from the agenda.
(Q 87-11)
#2. RE: Consider approving the appointment of Barbara Stubble- field to the Tracy Aviary Board.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to Committee of the Whole.
(I 88-4)
#3. RE: Consider approving the appointments of Robert S. Adams and John Richard “Rick” Graham to the Urban Forestry Board.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to Committee of the Whole.
(I 88-15)
#4. RE: Consider approving the appointment of Joan Degiorgio to the Public Utilities Advisory Committee.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to Committee of the Whole.
(I 88-6)
#5. RE: Consider approving the appointment of Thomas B. Kass to the Salt Lake Art Design Board.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to the consent agenda.
(I 88-16)
#6. RE: Consider approving the appointment of Ralph Becker to the Salt Lake City Planning Commission.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to Committee of the Whole.
(I 88-7)
#7. RE: Consider approving the appointment of J. Allen Blodgett to the Airport Authority Board of Directors.
ACTION: Without objection, Councilmember Bittner referred this item to Committee of the Whole.
(I 88-8)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Fiscal Year 1988-89 Budget.
RE: A public hearing at 6:20 p.m. to obtain comment regarding the Mayor’s recommended budgets for Fiscal Year 1988-89.
ACTION: Councilmember Kirk moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Kirk moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to refer this item to Committee of the Whole, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: The following people spoke in support of various budget issues: Jeano Campanaro, 120 North 200 West, supported volunteers; Lloyd Siegendorf, 1998 South 1400 East, supported urban forestry; Elden Tanner, 450 South 300 East, supported the police department; Lorna Matheson, 2270 Hubbard Avenue, supported fire station maintenance; Chris Johnson, 2891 Lancaster Drive, supported volunteer program; Patricia Von Khrum, 1347 East 1700 South, supported education for animal services and Kimball Young, supported Sunnyside Recreation Center.
Mr. Campanaro asked the Council to consider utilizing a volunteer services specialist to enhance the services provided by the city. He said many forms of government at all levels made use of this resource and now was a good time to use citizen participation since there were citizens who were qualified and willing to participate. He said the key to the success of such a program was a volunteer specialist. Mr. Johnson said he had been on the committee for the ‘Salt Lake City Tomorrow’ program which was a blueprint to guide the choices for the future of the city.
He said they had received recommendations from 10,000 community members and 100 top business leaders, of the six critical areas of concern, the human development in the city was one. He said one of the priorities of the human development was to establish a volunteer corp and he urged the Council to consider funding the position for a volunteer services specialist. Mr. Siegendorf said he was chairman of the city forestry board and was disappointed that they had to take an $11,000 cut in their budget as every dollar was vital in maintaining the community forest.
Mr. Tanner said he was president of the Salt Lake Police Association and asked the Mayor and Council, while considering the budget, to be concerned about police strength in the city which had dropped into the danger zone. He said there had been a steady decline in police strength as they had supported new programs while cutting personnel. He said the strength of the police came from five factors; good salaries, high quality personnel, car per officer program, department integrity and honesty, and good community image.
He said the officer could take care of the last two, but they needed Council’s support to take care of all of them. He urged the Council to restore the budget and programs of the Police Department, approve the merit steps for all city employees, and approve a cost of living increase to cover the almost 50% of the work force who had reached the top of their salary steps. Ms. Von Khrum said she represented a group of volunteers called CAMPS, Citizens Animal Management and Protection Society who were concerned about the proposed cut for the animal services program. She said they felt that the solution of the problems associated with the shelters had to come from education. She said they had placed 160 more animals in homes last year than the previous year, which had helped to increase revenue for the city. She urged the Council to keep the animal services program.
Mr. Young reported on the status of the Salt Lake Recreation Center saying they had raised over $500,000 in private contributions toward their $2,000,000 project. He said this was a partnership effort between the city, the school district, and the community at large, and thanked the Mayor for his considerations in the budget.
The following people spoke in opposition to various budget issues: James M. Byrne, 912 Foothill Drive, opposed closing fire station; William C. Loos, 206 Park Building, opposed closing fire station; Luke Ong, 2091 Laird Drive, opposed closing fire station; Steve Alder, 852 South 2200 East, opposed closing fire station; Joe Sargent, 1792 Emigration Canyon, opposed closing fire station; Dave Jones, 545 South 1100 East, opposed cutbacks in police; Carol Maul, 612 East 700 South, opposed the budget; C. Quick, 4062 Severn Circle, opposed the budget and Jane Layton Stromquist, 33 C Street, opposed the garbage fee.
Mr. Byrne, representing the Foothill/Sunnyside Neighborhood Council, said they were concerned about the closing of their fire station and said they felt there should be a comprehensive plan developed. Mr. Loos, representing the University of Utah, said they were concerned about the removal of fire station 15 from the campus and noted several reasons why: the density of buildings and high cost equipment in the area; two major hospitals; peak traffic in the area at certain times of day; and clogging of traffic during basketball and football games.
He said they were also concerned about the insurance rating as they had been told that their insurance premiums would increase if the fire station was removed. He questioned whether the money saved by consolidation of the fire stations would be offset by the raised insurance premiums to the citizens. He urged the Council to consider waiting one year to make a decision. Mr. Ong said his neighbors were very angry as they had been promised by the city they would be told when the fire station near them was to be closed, yet it was closed and no one was notified.
He said there were a lot of elderly citizens in his area who necessitated a fast response from the fire department and paramedics, and the response time would be slower if the fire station was closed. Mr. Alder opposed the closure of either fire station 10 or 15 prior to a new one being built saying it would be foolish as it would put people at risk. Mr. Sargent, a resident of Emigration Canyon, expressed his concerns about the impact on that area if the fire station closed. Ms. Matheson, a member of the Board of Education speaking as a concerned citizen, said there were 13 schools in the area of fire station #10, representing 10,000 students. She said to do away with the fire station while building another one would be a grave error on the part of the city and that it must remain open until a new one was built. She urged the Council to make their decision with the children in mind. Councilmember Kirk read a letter she had received from Mr. Frank Hartley, president of the Canyon Crest Condominiums Management Committee representing 392 persons, which stated their concerns over the closing of the fire station.
He said there were 123 units on 14 floors and a lot of the residents were elderly and semi-invalid, and in a span of two blocks there were ten multi-storied condominiums from six to seventeen floors housing people. He said this, along with the new growth in the area such as the expansion of Foothill Village, University Research Park, etc. seemed to express the need for increased, not decreased, fire protection.
Mr. Jones was opposed to the budget cuts in the Police Department because of the alarming increase in crime in the eastside neighborhoods, undermining of police morale and undercutting their ability to fight crime, and loss of future economic development. Ms. Maul said the proposed budget gave the citizens only two choices, to either raise taxes or cut services, and there should be another choice, that of cutting administrative costs.
Mr. Quick said the budget was irresponsible and deceptive as there were disproportionate cuts proposed in public safety areas while fire and police protection were always #1 with concerned citizens. He said he opposed the Mayor’s proposed cut of salary increases for city employees and asked the Council to reject the Mayor’s budget.
Ms. Stromquist opposed the garbage fee saying that the fastest growing social group in America was the working poor who lived on $8,500 per year or less, and over half of those lived on about $380 per month. She said it was open-season for the poor and felt the Council should get rid of the garbage fee, sales taxes, and get their minds off themselves as far as taking trips, increasing their salaries, etc. Five persons not wishing to speak, registered their support for the forestry budget.
(B 88-3)
Compensation Plan
RE: A public hearing at 6:20 p.m. to obtain comment regarding an ordinance amending the Compensation Plan, Section 2.52.010 of the Salt Lake City Code, for city officers and employees, including statutory officers.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye, except Councilmember Horrocks who was absent for the vote.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to refer this item to Committee of the Whole, which motion carried, all members voted aye, except Councilmember Horrocks who was absent for the vote.
DISCUSSION: No one from the audience addressed this issue.
(O 88-10)
Water and Sewer Rates
RE: A public hearing at 6:20 p.m. to obtain public comment regarding an ordinance amending Sections 17.16.670 and 17.72.030 of the Salt Lake City Code, to reflect an increase in city water rates offset by a decrease in sewer rates to set up a reserve for the acquisition of private watershed lands.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye, except Councilmember Horrocks who was absent for the vote.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Kirk seconded to refer this item to Committee of the Whole, which motion carried, all members voted aye, except Councilmember Horrocks who was absent for the vote.
DISCUSSION: No one from the audience addressed this issue.
(O 88-12)
COMMENTS
Faye Nichols, 120 McArthur Avenue, representing the People’s Freeway Community Council, addressed the Council saying neighbors were very concerned about a group home at 404 Fayette Avenue which housed juveniles who had been in trouble with the law. She said the neighbors had one by one been robbed and they wanted the home removed. Mayor DePaulis questioned whose jurisdiction the home was under and said his office would check into it and see what could be done.
Dick Groen, 1028 Learned Avenue, addressed the Council and said he represented a group of people in the District 2 north area who commended Mayor DePaulis for using his veto power on the CDBG budget. He said they felt that using reasonable priorities in distributing the CDBG was necessary so that one or two groups didn’t get all the money.
William Hurley, 1729 Laird Avenue, addressed the Council regarding a serious problem in his neighborhood with dying sycamore trees.
He said the neighbors were concerned because the trees added significantly to the value of real estate in the area, and the neighbors would be willing to pay the cost of having the trees sprayed. Mayor DePaulis said the city was presently spraying some trees but he hadn’t been aware of a problem with the sycamores. Councilmember Kirk said this was in her district and she would contact the urban forester and see if something could be done. Mayor DePaulis said he would also follow through and take care of this problem. Pat Peterson, 1068 Emery Street, Westside Community Council, addressed the Mayor and Council asking them to reconsider the CDBG funding for the proposal to board up and secure vacant property. She said they were having a lot of problems in her area and this funding would provide trimming of bushes and trees and help alleviate some of the eye sores in the neighborhood.
John Becker, Greater Avenues Community Council, addressed the Council regarding a potential hazard in the 4th of July celebrations at the University of Utah. He said the upper avenues streets became clogged with traffic and emergency vehicles could not get into the area, and sightseers and revelers were having their own fireworks displays which created a fire hazard. He asked the Mayor to provide adequate police and fire protection during these times.
Pepper Provenzano, 736 East 800 South, addressed the Mayor and Council regarding saving the city’s trees. He said that half of the trees were dying or in decline and that ash trees in his neighborhood were scheduled to be cut down because the city couldn’t afford the budget to trim them. He asked the Mayor to call on his constituency to help save the trees.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.